Use of Optical Aberration Coefficients in Optical Design

Abstract

A general account is given of the way in which the aberration coefficients introduced by Buchdahl are made use of in the design of optical systems. Experience shows that for many applications the coefficients of third, fifth, and seventh orders provide a new and adequate technique for the analysis of the correction state of a system, the understanding of the raison d’être of a particular type of system, and the differential correction of a rough design. The geometrical representation and classification of the individual terms of the aberration polynomials is discussed. The method is exemplified by excerpts from the design of a telephoto objective.